Elevated tank



March 16, 1954 Filed March 25, 1951 H. E. LINDBERG ELEVATED TANK 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Harry E. Lindberg QVAJQ'GILQ" 0 HIS ATTORNEYS March 16, 1954 H. E. LINDBERG ELEVATED TANK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1951 R m w m Harry E. L/ndberg HIS ATTORNEYS March 16, 1954 E. LINDBERG ELEVATED TANK Filed March 23, 1951 3 SheetsSheet 3 l/V VE'N TOR Harry E. Lindberg HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 16, 1954 ELEVATED TANK Harry E. Lindberg, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Pittsburgh-Des Moines Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 23, 1951, Serial No. 217,170

8 Claims.

This invention relates to elevated tanks and an object thereof is to produce an elevated tank of novel design and novel construction.

Elevated tanks usually comprise a tank shell and means for supporting such shell a desired distance above the ground; such supporting means is commonly referred to as the tower, although it may comprise a number of columnlike members which may or may not be interconnected by diagonal bracing members. These column-like members may extend vertically or incline either inwardly or outwardly from their foundations to the tank shell.

In the tank of this invention, the column-like members converge from their foundations to the tank shell which may be of varied design as long as it is symmetrical about its vertical center line or axis.

The column-like members are preferably cylindrical and straight and may be of any desired number provided there are at least three.

The bottom portions or bases of these columnlike members are secured to foundation members which are preferably equally spaced from the vertical center line of the tank shell when such line is extended to the ground.

In the drawings which accompany and form part of this application:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a tank embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation on an enlarged scale of the tank shell, upper portions of the three columnlike tower members and the internal framing means. This view is taken on line II--II of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a view partially in section and partially in plan and is taken on line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a View partially in plan and partially in section and is taken on line V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation and is taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but on a reduced scale and illustrates a modified form of elevated tank embodying this invention and is taken on line VIIVII of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 8 is a view partially in section and partially in plan and is taken on the line VIIIV11I of Fig. 7.

The tank shell II) which is shown as a hollow sphere is supported by three hollow cylindrical 2 column-like legs H. Columns H are secured to metal base members 12 which in turn are secured to concrete foundation members or piers l3.

The tank shell 10 can be of any desired form so long as it is symmetrical about its vertical center line. Columns H while they are preferably cylindrical and tubular as shown they can be of any desired structural shape. They may also be of any desired number, but not less than three.

Base members i2 are preferably equally spaced from the vertical center line of the tank shell when such center line is extended to the ground.

Column-like members I I extend through openings provided for that purpose in tank shell l6 and are connected to a vertical post id. The vertical center line or longitudinal axis of post 5 preferably coincides with the vertical center line of the tank shell.

Members I! which incline from their base members l2 to a point in the vertical center line of the tank shell are sealed, preferably by weld metal to the walls of the openings in the tank shell through which they project. They are secured preferably by welding, to vertical post Hi. The axes of column-like members H as above pointed out intersect one another in such vertical center line; such point is numbered 15. Point I5 is preferably at the same level as resultant of horizontal forces on the tank, usually wind forces.

In order that the wind pressure load on the tank shell and the weight of the tank shell and its contents are transferred to column-like members H, I provide a series of frame members l6, preferably of I or H beam section, which are connected to one end of center post 14 and to the tank shell IB adjacent the extreme horizontal dimension of the shell.

In Figures 2 and 3, I show five such frames which are connected to post l4 adjacent its top, and to the tank shell at equally spaced portions adjacent such extreme dimension of the shell by means of gusset plates I? which are secured to the tank shell.

Horizontal framing members l8 which are equal in number to frame members I6 are connected to members It within gusset plates ll as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Members 18 are also preferably of H or I beam section (although they may be tubular or of any other desired section) and are connected, preferably by welding, to framing members l6 between gusset plates 17.

They are connected, also preferably by welding, to center post [4 (Figs. 4 and 5).

For the purpose of carrying the load in framing members l8 across center post I4, I preferably provide a plate-like diaphragm I9 which is aligned with the webs l8a of framing members I8. I reinforce diaphragm l9 by means of stiffening members 20 which are aligned with the flanges 18b of members l8. These stiffening members are joined together within cylindrical posts I 4 by weld metal 20a as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

A diaphragm 2| is welded in place within the upper portion of center column l4 and is stiffened by means of upper and lower stiifening members numbered 22 and 23 respectively. These members are welded to diaphragm 2i and to the inner surface of post [4.

In the modification shown in Figs. '7 and 8, instead of five frames which are located in the upper half of the tank shell, I disclose but three frames (see Fig. 8). These three frames as shown in Fig. 7 are connected to center post id and located in the lower part of the tank instead of in the upper part. These frames also include a diaphragm I9 and stiffening member 20 at the upper end of shortened post l4 and similar diaphragm and stiffening members at the lower end of post M.

The ends of center post l4 are spaced from the tank shell. The lower half of center post H5 is The height of the supporting tower will pend somewhat upon the water pressure desired in the system of which the tank forms a part.

Since clearance is provided between the upper end of center post M and the tank shell, the

upper half of the tank shell is free to expand when heated by the sun. The lower part of the center post it as well as the upper ends of column-like members II and most of the framing will be immersed within the liquid contents of the tank shell and therefore will not be ject to rapid fluctuations in temperature.

The spread of the column-like members it will depend upon their height, and size of the tank shell and the inclination desired for n t economy in design of members H and in de of piers [3.

The absence of diagonal bracing members gives the tank of this invention a novel and striking appearance.

What I claim is:

1. An elevated tank and the support therefor, comprising a tank shell symmetrical about its center line; a vertically extending center post within said shell, with the axis thereof coincident with said center line, and with the upper end thereof spaced from and free of the upper portion of said shell; a series of frames spaced at equal intervals around said center post, and each comprising an inclined member and. a substantially horizontal member arranged in pairs, with the members of each pair having their inner ends secured to said post at spaced points longitudinally thereof, and their outer ends connected to said shell at points adjacent the greatest horizontal dimension thereof; at least three straight column members having their lower ends equally spaced around and from said center line produced below said shell, said members converging from the supported ends thereof toward said shell, with their upper ends secured to said post within said shell and with their longitudinal axes intersecting one another and said vertical center line at the point of theoretical application along said center line of the resultant of the horizontal forces acting on said shell so that there is no induced bending in said column members, due to the horizontal load on the tank.

2. An elevated tank and a tower support therefor, comprising a tank shell symmetrical about its vertical axis; a hollow post located within said shell, and surrounding such vertical axis; a plurality of frames radiating from, and equally spaced around, such vertical axis, and rigidly secured to said post and to said shell at regions intermediate the upper and lower ends of said shell, and adjacent the greatest horizontal dimension thereof; and at least three straight col-- umn members constituting a tower support for said tank, said column members having their supported ends equally spaced around and from such vertical axis projected to the ground, and converging upwardly from the supported ends thereof toward said tank, with each such memoer extending through said shell and secured to said post, and so arranged that their longitu-- dinal axes intersect one another and the vertical axis of said shell at the point of appliea along such vertical axis of the resultant of the horizontal forces acting on said tank.

3. An elevated tank and the tower support therefor, comprising a tank shell substantially symmetrical about its vertical axis; a central post located within said shell, with the axis thereof substantially coincident with such vertical axis and with the upper end thereof free from upper portion of said shell; a series of f1 radially arranged relatively to said vertical is and substantially equally spaced around said post, each such frame being secured to said post at least at two points along the length thereof, and being secured to the interior of said shell in a region intermediate the upper and lower end; thereof and of maximum horizontal dimension, thereby the upper portion of said shell is free to expand and contract independently of ca post and said frames; and at least three stantially straight column members having b. if ground-supported ends substantially equally spaced around and from the vertical axis or: a shell projected to the ground, said column mem bers converging from their supports upntoward said shell, with each such column in her projecting through said shell and secure said post within said shell, and equally spae around the surface of said post, said membe being so positioned with relation to each oi and said shell, and so inclined with relation t) the vertical axis of said shell, that the longitudinal axes thereof intersect each other and such vertical axis at the theoretical point of application along said vertical axis of the horizontal forces acting on said tank.

4. An elevated tank and support therefor, comprising an integral structure including a tank shell substantially symmetrical about its vertical axis; a hollow post surrounding the vertical axis of said shell and substantially concentric therewith and projecting upwardly toward the upper end of said shell, but with the upper end thereof spaced from and free of the upper portion of said shell; 2. series of frames located wholly within said shell, extending radially from said post, with the frames of the series substantially equally spaced around said an AD post, and with each such frame secured to said post and secured to said shell substantially mid- Way between the upper and lower ends thereof and at a region of greatest internal dimension of said shell, whereby the intermediate portion of said shell is rigidly secured to said post and the upper portion of said shell is free to expand and contract independently of said post and said frames; at least three column members constituting a tower support for said tank, with the supported ends of said members equally spaced around and from the vertical axis of said shell produced below said shell, said column members converging upwardly from the supported ends thereof, with the upper end thereof rigidly secured to said post and equally spaced around the surface thereof, said column members being so positioned with relation to each other and to said post that the vertical axes thereof, when extended beyond said members, intersect with each other and with the vertical axis of said shell at the theoretical point of application along said vertical axis of the resultant of the horizontal forces acting on said shell.

5. An elevated tank and support therefor, comprising an integral structure including a spherical shell; a center post with the axis thereof substantially coincident with the vertical diameter of said shell, with the upper end of said post spaced from and free of said shell; a series of frames located within said shell, with the frames thereof extending radially relatively to said vertical diameter, and equally spaced around said post, and with each such frame secured to said post at spaced points along the length thereof and secured to the interior of said shell at points adjacent horizontal diameters thereof, whereby the upper portion of said shell is free to expand and contract independently of said post and said frames; at least three column support members constituting a tower support for said tank, said column members being equally spaced around and from the vertical axis of said shell produced below said shell and converging upwardly from their supported ends toward said post, with each such member extending through said shell and secured to said post at points within said shell and below the horizontal diameter thereof, said column members being so positioned with relation to said post and the vertical diameter of said shell, that the longitudinal axes thereof, when extended beyond such members, intersect each other and the vertical diameter of said shell at the center of said shell.

6. A structure as defined in claim 5, in which the frames are secured to said center post adjacent the upper end thereof and are almost wholly located in the lower portion of said shell.

7. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein said frames are located almost Wholly in the lower portion of said shell.

8. An elevated tank and support therefor, comprising an integral structure including a substantially spherical shell; a hollow center post surrounding the vertical diameter of said shell and located co-axially therewith, with the upper end thereof spaced from and free of said shell; rigid means securing said post to said shell at points around such shell adjacent the horizontal diameter thereof, whereby the upper portion of said shell is free to expand and contract independently of said post and said rigid means; at least three straight column members for support of said tank, said members being equally spaced around and from the vertical axis of said shell produced below said shell, and converging upwardly from their supported ends toward said post, with each such member extending through said shell and secured to said post at points within said shell, said column members being so positioned with relation to each other, said post and the vertical axis of said shell, that the longitudinal axes thereof, when extended beyond said members, intersect each other and the vertical diameter of said shell at a point substantially coincident with the center of said shell, whereby horizontal forces, acting on said shell, induce axial stresses only in said column members.

HARRY E. LINDBERG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 121,205 Horton June 25, 1940 1,651,892 Horton Dec. 6, 1927 1,844,854 Horton Feb. 9, 1932 1,947,515 Blackburn Feb. 20, 1934 2,156,400 Pechstein May 2, 1939 2.295,514 Brinkman Sept. 8, 1942 2,346,129 DeVore Apr. 11, 1944 

